Articles Tagged ‘Driving for Zero - Brake the road safety charity’

The Department for Transport has today (Thursday 9 August) published statistics on drink drive crashes in Great Britain for 2016 [1]. This shows drink-driving deaths and injuries are at the highest level since 2012 and that there has been an estimated increase in the number of road deaths, the number of injuries, and the total number of crashes relating to at least one driver being over the alcohol limit.

“How many more lives must be needlessly lost before the Government acts on drink-driving? Today’s figures show that drink-driving is an increasing blight on British roads and yet the Government sits on its hands and refuses to address the issue. The Government should put its money where its mouth is and align the law with the message from its 'Think!’ campaign: “if you’re driving, it’s better to have none for the road”. Only this zero-tolerance approach can create the change required to rid our roads of the menace of drink-driving.”

“The current drink-driving limit gives a false impression that it is safe to drink and drive – this is a dangerous message and one that couldn’t be further from the truth. Research has shown even very small amounts of alcohol dramatically affect safe driving - drivers with levels of alcohol in their blood just half the current legal limit are at least twice more likely to die in a crash than those with no alcohol at all.”

“Our current drink-driving law lacks clarity, is badly understood and supports the perception that mixing alcohol and driving is acceptable – this needs to change. Brake is calling for the Government to implement an effective zero tolerance drink-drive limit of 20mg per 100ml of blood, making clear to drivers that not a drop of alcohol is safe.”

Brake is a national road safety and sustainable transport charity, founded in 1995, that exists to stop the needless deaths and serious injuries that happen on roads every day, make streets and communities safer for everyone, and care for families bereaved and injured in road crashes. Brake promotes road safety awareness, safe and sustainable road use, and effective road safety policies.

We do this through national campaigns, community education, services for road safety professionals and employers, and by coordinating the UK's flagship road safety event every November, Road Safety Week. Brake is a national, government-funded provider of support to families and individuals devastated by road death and serious injury, including through a helpline and support packs.

Road crashes are not accidents; they are devastating and preventable events, not chance mishaps. Calling them accidents undermines work to make roads safer, and can cause insult to families whose lives have been torn apart by needless casualties.

Tottenham Hotspur Goalkeeper and Captain, Hugo Lloris, has today pleaded guilty to drink driving after being stopped by Police in West London last month.

The case comes only weeks after figures published by the Department for Transport showed that the number of people killed or seriously injured in drink drive crashes in 2016 is at the highest level since 2012.

Commenting, Joshua Harris, director of campaigns for Brake, said:

“It is disappointing to see that someone who is a role model to many thousands of football fans has admitted breaking the law by drink driving. We expect the captain of Tottenham Hotspur and his national team to be setting a good example, not flouting the law in such a manner. This kind of dangerous behaviour is selfish, illegal and puts lives at risk.”

“Drink driving is an increasing menace on our roads. The current limit gives a false impression that it is safe to drink and drive – it is not. It is high time that the Government takes decisive action before any more lives are needlessly lost and implements an effective zero tolerance drink-drive limit of 20mg per 100ml of blood, making clear to drivers that not a drop of alcohol is safe.”

Brake is a national road safety and sustainable transport charity, founded in 1995, that exists to stop the needless deaths and serious injuries that happen on roads every day, make streets and communities safer for everyone, and care for families bereaved and injured in road crashes. Brake promotes road safety awareness, safe and sustainable road use, and effective road safety policies.

We do this through national campaigns, community education, services for road safety professionals and employers, and by coordinating the UK's flagship road safety event every November, Road Safety Week. Brake is a national, government-funded provider of support to families and individuals devastated by road death and serious injury, including through a helpline and support packs.

Road crashes are not accidents; they are devastating and preventable events, not chance mishaps. Calling them accidents undermines work to make roads safer, and can cause insult to families whose lives have been torn apart by needless casualties.

Wayne Rooney has this morning pleaded guilty at Stockport Magistrates' Court to a charge of drink driving. Reacting to the news, Jason Wakeford, Director of Campaigns for Brake, the road safety charity, said: "Drink driving is an abhorrent crime which can end innocent lives and inflict unimaginable trauma. Public figures should be setting a positive example of safe driving behaviour.

"Any amount of alcohol seriously affects the chances of being involved in a potentially deadly crash. The drink drive limit in England and Wales is the second highest in the European Union and must be lowered to a zero-tolerance, to help reduce needless deaths and serious injury on our roads."

[ENDS]

About Brake

Brake is a national road safety and sustainable transport charity, founded in 1995, that exists to stop the needless deaths and serious injuries that happen on roads every day, make streets and communities safer for everyone, and care for families bereaved and injured in road crashes. Brake promotes road safety awareness, safe and sustainable road use, and effective road safety policies.

We do this through national campaigns, community education, services for road safety professionals and employers, and by coordinating the UK's flagship road safety event every November, Road Safety Week. Brake is a national, government-funded provider of support to families and individuals devastated by road death and serious injury, including through a helpline and support packs.

Road crashes are not accidents; they are devastating and preventable events, not chance mishaps. Calling them accidents undermines work to make roads safer, and can cause insult to families whose lives have been torn apart by needless casualties.

Scotland’s road safety laws will be strengthened by the introduction of drug-driving limits and roadside testing on 21 October this year, the Scottish Government has announced.

Scotland will introduce a zero-tolerance approach to eight drugs most associated with illegal use, including cannabis, heroin and cocaine, with limits set at a level where any claims of accidental exposure can be ruled out. Meanwhile, a list of other drugs associated with medical use will have limits based on impairment and risk to road safety.

Drug-driving limits were introduced in England and Wales in 2015.

Commenting, Joshua Harris, director of campaigns for Brake said:

“Drug-driving is an increasing menace on our roads, putting innocent road users at risk every day with dangerous, impaired driving. A zero-tolerance approach is a great step forward for Scotland but will only be effective if there are enough police, with the right equipment, to enforce the new law.”

“At present, only devices which can screen for cannabis and cocaine use are approved to be used by police at the roadside, limiting the ability to detect drug-driving and enforce the law. Priority must be given to the type-approval of roadside screening devices that can detect all banned drugs, helping the police enforce the law.”

ENDS

About Brake

Brake is a national road safety and sustainable transport charity, founded in 1995, that exists to stop the needless deaths and serious injuries that happen on roads every day, make streets and communities safer for everyone, and care for families bereaved and injured in road crashes. Brake promotes road safety awareness, safe and sustainable road use, and effective road safety policies.

We do this through national campaigns, community education, services for road safety professionals and employers, and by coordinating the UK's flagship road safety event every November, Road Safety Week. Brake is a national, government-funded provider of support to families and individuals devastated by road death and serious injury, including through a helpline and support packs.

Road crashes are not accidents; they are devastating and preventable events, not chance mishaps. Calling them accidents undermines work to make roads safer, and can cause insult to families whose lives have been torn apart by needless casualties.

The Department for Transport has today published provisional estimates for drink drive crashes and casualties in Great Britain in 2017. This shows that there has been an estimated increase in the number of people killed in crashes where one driver was over the drink drive limit, reaching a central estimate of 290 up from 230 in 2016, the highest level since 2009. The number of total crashes involving a drink driver is however estimated to have fallen by 6% to 5,730, down from 6,070 in 2016. [1]

The figures come as England and Wales now stand alone with the highest drink drive limit in the whole of Europe at 0.8mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood, after Malta, the previous joint highest, lowered their drink drive limit to 0.5mg of alcohol in 100ml per litre of blood last year. [2]

Commenting Josh Harris, director of campaigns for Brake, said:

“Whilst it’s encouraging that the total number of crashes involving a drink driver appears to have fallen, it is worrying that the estimated number of people killed continues to increase. With England and Wales now having the dubious honour of the highest drink-drive limit in Europe, we have to ask how many more lives must be lost for the Government to act on drink driving?

“Our current drink-drive limit gives a false impression that it is acceptable to mix alcohol and driving - which couldn’t be further from the truth. Even very small amounts of alcohol dramatically affect your ability to drive safely. Decisive action is needed to end this blight on our roads and prevent the needless loss of life. Brake is calling for the Government to implement an effective zero tolerance drink-drive limit, making clear to drivers that not a drop of alcohol is safe.”

Provisional estimates for 2017 show that between 240 and 330 people were killed in accidents in Great Britain where at least one driver was over the drink-drive limit, with a central estimate of 290 deaths. The provisional estimate of fatalities for 2017 is the highest since 2009.

However, the rise is not statistically significant - The 95% confidence level is the standard against which statistics are typically tested. It means that in 100 years with the same risk of fatalities (or injury), 95 of those years will result in a number of fatalities (or injuries) between a given range. If the actual change falls outside of this range then we can be 95% confident that the change is as a result of a genuine trend (statistically significant) rather than a product of chance (not statistically significant).

Despite decades of campaigns, one in eight road deaths still involves a driver over the limit. Because the UK's drink drive limit is high, there will be more, unrecorded, casualties involving drivers impaired by alcohol but under the current limit - all countries in Europe apart from Malta have a lower drink drive limit than the UK (excepting Scotland which reduced its drink drive limit in December 2014).

Drug driving is also a widespread menace: since the introduction of a law in March 2015, allowing police to test and arrest in England and Wales for certain illegal and legal drugs, there has been an 800% increase in arrests despite limitations in testing equipment and levels of policing. Get more facts on drink driving and drug driving and scroll down for what we need, how to take action, and more campaign news.

However, despite the legislation that the government has put in place in 2015, the police have been limited in their ability to detect drug-driving at the roadside. This is due to the absence of Home Office type-approved roadside drug-screening devices. The type approval procedure aims to ensure devices meet government standards. Currently, there are only two devices that have type-approval, and they are only capable of screening for cannabis (THC) and cocaine. Other commonly detected drugs (notably MDMA /ecstasy) have no type-approved testing device.

What are we calling for?

An effective zero-tolerance drink-drive (20mg alcohol per 100ml of blood), in line with evidence even one small drink affects driving. It should be none for the road.

The extension of the England and Wales drug driving law to Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Stepped-up and targeted enforcement, giving police the strategies, staffing and equipment to test and convict at effective levels to deter.

Type-approved roadside screening devices for all banned drugs, with priority given to a device that screens for MDMA (ecstasy).

Take action

Share the campaign on Twitter, Facebook or Google+ using the buttons at the top of the page

The DVLA has today launched a new national eyesight awareness campaign reminding drivers of the need to regularly check their eyesight. All drivers must, by law, meet the minimum eyesight standards at all times when driving - including being able to read a number plate from 20 metres.

Brake, the road safety charity, has been working with Vision Express through the ‘Driving for Zero’ campaign, to raise awareness of the dangers of poor eye health and to call for more to be done to tackle the issue of defective driver vision.

Commenting, Joshua Harris, director of campaigns for Brake, said:

“Any campaign to remind drivers to check their eyesight is welcome, however, awareness raising falls far short of tackling the true problem of poor driver vision, where a change in legislation is clearly required. Brake is calling for the law to be strengthened, to require drivers to prove to the DVLA they have had a recent, professional vision test when they take their driving test; and be required to have regular tests during their driving life on a regular basis. It should be obvious to all that the ability to see clearly is fundamental to safe driving and so we urge the Government to act to address the shortfall in the law and introduce mandatory eye tests for drivers now.”

“At present, driver eyesight is only checked through a 20-metre license plate reading before the driving test, after which a driver may never again be required to prove that their vision is fit for driving. With eye specialists stating that the 20-metre test is inadequate in assessing driver vision, and research showing someone can lose up to 40% of their vision without being aware, it is time for mandatory eye testing to be introduced.”

Commenting,Jonathan Lawson, CEO at Vision Express said:

"It's a positive first step to see the DVLA is spearheading a public awareness campaign to encourage drivers to take their eye health seriously - something Vision Express has been campaigning for. It is estimated that as many as 1.5m UK licence holders have never even had an eye test and road crashes caused by poor driver vision are estimated to cause 2,900 casualties. However, the 'number plate' test was introduced over 80 years ago before the Second World War and eye testing has advanced significantly since then. The NHS recommends people should have an eye test every two years, so we would encourage the DVLA to remind drivers that whilst passing the number plate might be the legal limit, the Government's own advice is to have a full eye health check with a qualified optometrist."

Brake is a national road safety and sustainable transport charity, founded in 1995, that exists to stop the needless deaths and serious injuries that happen on roads every day, make streets and communities safer for everyone, and care for families bereaved and injured in road crashes. Brake promotes road safety awareness, safe and sustainable road use, and effective road safety policies.

We do this through national campaigns, community education, services for road safety professionals and employers, and by coordinating the UK's flagship road safety event every November, Road Safety Week. Brake is a national, government-funded provider of support to families and individuals devastated by road death and serious injury, including through a helpline and support packs.

Road crashes are not accidents; they are devastating and preventable events, not chance mishaps. Calling them accidents undermines work to make roads safer, and can cause insult to families whose lives have been torn apart by needless casualties.

Tougher drink drive laws, increased police powers, and restrictions on new drivers a big step in the right direction for road safety in Northern Ireland

Brake, the road safety charity, is welcoming the new Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill in Northern Ireland which has passed its final stage at the Assembly. When the Bill becomes law, which should be in a matter of weeks, it will see tougher drink driving laws, tougher police powers for breath tests, night restrictions on young drivers carrying passengers and a mandatory minimum period for learning to drive before taking the test.

74 people lost their lives on the roads in Northern Ireland in 2015. That’s 74 families and communities devastated and Brake understands the far reaching impact of these deaths from its extensive work with road crash victims’ families. This new legislation is a vital tool for Northern Ireland as it strives for the goal of not one single person killed on its roads.

Young drivers are a shocking three times more likely to be killed on the roads in Northern Ireland and four times more likely to be responsible for fatal crashes than drivers over 25. We strongly support the Assembly’s aim to reduce the number of young fatalities on its roads by 55% and are urging the rest of the UK to reintroduce casualty reduction targets.

Brake’s director of campaigns and communications, Gary Rae said: “This is a Bill designed to save lives and we welcome it. The reduction of the drink drive alcohol limit to 50mg/100ml for all drivers and 20mg/100ml for those newly qualified will help save more lives. We would prefer the lower limit to be enforced for all drivers, but this is a step in the right direction.”

Too many young drivers are losing their lives – shockingly, three times as many are likely to be killed on the roads in Northern Ireland, and four times as many are more likely to be responsible for fatal crashes than drivers over 25. We strongly support the introduction of what looks like the beginnings of a Graduated Driver Licence scheme, with a minimum learning period and restrictions on passenger numbers for new drivers. Northern Ireland is once again leading the way in the UK when it comes to road safety legislation and we would urge other governments to look closely at this Bill and follow suit to keep all road users safer.”

[ENDS]

Notes to Editors:

About Brake

Brake is a national road safety charity, founded in 1995, that exists to stop the needless deaths and serious injuries that happen on roads every day, make streets and communities safer for everyone, and care for families bereaved and injured in road crashes. Brake promotes road safety awareness, safe and sustainable road use, and effective road safety policies. We do this through national campaigns, community education, services for road safety professionals and employers, and by coordinating the UK's flagship road safety event every November, Road Safety Week. Brake is a national, government-funded provider of support to families and individuals devastated by road death and serious injury, including through a helpline and support packs.

Road crashes are not accidents; they are devastating and preventable events, not chance mishaps. Calling them accidents undermines work to make roads safer, and can cause insult to families whose lives have been torn apart by needless casualties.

Brake campaigns nationally and regionally, and raises awareness among the public, to stop road deaths and injuries, make our communities safer and greener, and improve support for crash victims. We won't stop until the carnage ends. But we need your help..

There are many ways to support our campaigns, such as dropping a quick note to your MP, signing a petition or running activities in your community. Each page below has simple actions you can take. You can also find advice on campaigning in your community here.

L for LaterA campaign to help young people be safer as drivers and passengers.

Pace for PeopleA campaign to reduce and enforce the speed limit in our towns, in order to reduce casualties, reduce fear of cycling and walking, reduce pollution and improve health through active travel.

Place for PeopleA campaign to give people in the UK space to move in ways that are safe, green, healthy and fair.

Modern VehiclesA campaign that embraces developments in vehicle technology that can save both lives and the planet, and calls on developments to be implemented in line with Brake's vision of safe, sustainable, healthy and fair transport.

As Christmas parties take place across the county, the road safety charity Brake is working with James Dutschak-Kavanagh, who was seriously injured by a drink-driver on Christmas Day 2015, to issue a warning about the dangers of drink-driving, as analysis shows that incidents spike over the Christmas period.

James was just 19 when his life was devastated by a drink driver. On Christmas Day in 2015, which was also James’ 19th birthday, James and his mum were travelling on Sandy Lane, near Gosforth, Newcastle, to meet family when they were hit head on by a drink driver who had lost control of their car. The impact of the crash left James and his mum with life changing injuries and they are still suffering almost three years later.

An increase in drink-driving over the Christmas period, has been identified by Brake analysis of government data. In 2016, December was the month with the most deaths and injuries from crashes involving a drink driver, 870 in total, which averaged out, indicates that across the Christmas month someone was killed or injured in a drink-driving incident every hour of the day [1].

Tragically, drink-driving is also on the increase across the whole year with the latest statistics showing that drink-driving deaths and injuries are at the highest level since 2012. In 2016, there were an estimated 230 road deaths, 9,040 injuries, and 6,070 relating to at least one driver being over the alcohol limit [2], all showing an increase on 2015.

The road safety charity is working with James, and other Brake volunteers, to urge all drivers and passengers to be aware that not a drop of alcohol is safe for those getting behind the wheel. Research has proven that any amount of alcohol can affect safe driving performance - drivers with just 10mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood, far below current drink drive limits, are 46% more likely to be at fault in collisions than sober drivers [3], and when they crash, do more damage than sober drivers [4].

Ahead of the busy Christmas party season, Brake is advising everyone to plan ahead, speak out and think about the possible impact of alcohol the morning after a night of drinking. A moment’s weakness could have a lifetime of consequence.

Commenting, Joshua Harris, director of campaigns for Brake, said:

“Drink-driving is an increasing blight on our roads and tragically we are approaching the time when the most incidents take place, the Christmas period. Across December, someone will be injured in a drink-driving incident every single hour, so it is vital that drivers, and passengers, are aware of the dangers. Whilst we want people to go out and enjoy the festive season, drivers must know that getting behind the wheel after drinking can have potentially devastating consequences. Simply put, if you are drinking, don’t drive, and if you must drive, don’t drink.

“The Government needs to act now to put an end to the carnage drink driving causes on our roads. Our current drink-driving law lacks clarity, is badly understood and supports the perception that mixing alcohol and driving is acceptable – this needs to change. Brake is calling for the Government to implement a zero-tolerance drink-drive limit, making clear to drivers that not a drop of alcohol is safe.”

James Dutschak-Kavanagh, Brake volunteer, said:

“At the age of 19, life-changing circumstances were brought upon me through the selfish and reckless decision another individual took to get behind the wheel whilst over the drink drive limit.

“I spent two months of my life in hospital after the crash and a further two-and-a-half months recuperating, and my life is still severely restricted to this very day, almost three years later.

“This festive season I want what happened to me and my mum to be a stark reminder to every one of the devastating consequences drink driving can have.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Driver advice:

Plan ahead:Planning ahead to get home safely will help you avoid getting into an awkward or risky situation, such as having to refuse a lift from a driver who has had alcohol. Leaving the decision until the pub, when you've already been drinking, is looking for trouble.

Speak out:You don't have to be confrontational to speak out to someone who’s thinking about drink or drug driving. You can talk to them in a friendly way, explaining why it's a bad idea to get behind the wheel. You could offer to call them a taxi, walk them to the bus stop or walk them home. If they are insistent on driving you might have to be more firm, take their keys or even call the police.

Morning after:Make sure you've completely got rid of any alcohol or drugs from your system before driving. Many drink and drug drivers are caught the next day. Drinking coffee, sleeping, or having a shower don’t help you sober up, only time.

Follow us

Professionals

Every 30 seconds someone, somewhere in the world is killed in a road crash. Brake works to stop road deaths and injuries by campaigning for safer roads; supports people bereaved or injured in road crashes; and raises public awareness for sustainable transport. Registered charity No. 1093244